Caladium plant named ‘RIB WT OF13-530’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘RIB WT OF13-530’, characterized by its compact and upright to mounding plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; narrow lance-type leaves with long tapering apices that are greyish yellow green in color with dark green-colored margins; and petioles that are green in color.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘RIB WT OF13-530’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisementsrelating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred morethan one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from adirect or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant.Inventor/Applicant claims a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C.102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but lessthan one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a lance leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘RIB WT OF13-530’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2012 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum‘RS-03-03’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,265, as the female, orseed, parent with Caladium X hortulanum ‘White Delight’, disclosed inU.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,216, as the male, or pollen, parent. The newCaladium plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a singleplant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledoutdoor nursery environment in Avon Park, Fla. in September, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2014 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘RIB WT OF13-530’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘RIB WT OF13-530’ as a newand distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Compact and upright to mounding plant habit; dense, leafy and        bushy appearance.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Narrow lance-type leaves with long tapering apices that are        greyish yellow green in color with dark green-colored margins.    -   4. Petioles that are green in color.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘RS-03-03’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more compact than plants of        ‘RS-03-03’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are narrower than leaves        of plants of ‘RS-03-03’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greyish yellow green        in color with dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of        plants of ‘RS-03-03’ are pearlescent white to greenish white in        color with dark green-colored margins and white to greenish        white-colored venation.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘White Delight’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more compact than plants of        ‘White Delight’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are narrower than leaves        of plants of ‘White Delight’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greyish yellow green        in color with dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of        plants of ‘White Delight’ are white to grey-green in color with        white-colored main veins and dark green-colored borders.    -   4. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green in        color whereas leaf petioles of plants of ‘White Delight’ are        green in color, tinged with light brown and with darker        green-colored stippling, streaks and tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘White Dynasty’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,240. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘White Dynasty’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more compact than plants of        ‘White Dynasty’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are narrower than leaves        of plants of ‘White Dynasty’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greyish yellow green        in color with dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of        plants of ‘White Dynasty’ are white and greyed green in color        with few random red purple-colored spots, dark green-colored        margins and greyed green-colored venation.    -   4. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green in        color whereas leaf petioles of plants of ‘White Dynasty’ are        green in color tinged with green and purplish brown.

Plants of the new Caladium can also compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘White Wonder’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,044. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘White Wonder’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are more compact than plants of        ‘White Wonder’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are narrower than leaves        of plants of ‘White Wonder’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are greyish yellow green        in color with dark green-colored margins whereas leaves of        plants of ‘White Wonder’ are white to grey-green in color with        light pink to white-colored venation and dark green-colored        borders.    -   4. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are green in        color whereas leaf petioles of plants of ‘White Wonder’ are        tannish pink in color with greenish brown-colored stripes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical plant of ‘RIB WT OF13-530’ grown in a container that has nothad its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is sideperspective view of typical plants of the female parent, ‘RS-03-03’(left), ‘RIB WT OF13-530’ (center) and the male parent, ‘White Delight’(right).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3) is sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘White Dynasty’ (left), ‘RIB WTOF13-530’ (center) and ‘White Wonder’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet (FIG. 4) is a sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘RIB WT OF13-530’ grown in an openproduction field.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet (FIG. 5) is a close-upview of typical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of‘RIB WT OF13530’.

The photograph on the fourth sheet (FIG. 6) is a close-up view oftypical inflorescences of ‘RIB WT OF13-530’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shade house (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shade house and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shade house-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 1,300μmol. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and full sunlight conditions. Plantsgrown in the shade house were eight weeks old and plants grown in theoutdoor nursery were 5.5 months old when the photographs and thedetailed description were taken. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2001 and 2015 Editions, except where general terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘RIB WT OF13-530’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘RS-03-03’            disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,265.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘White            Delight’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,216.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            are elliptic to irregular in shape. Height: About 2.2 cm to            2.3 cm. Diameter: About 5.3 cm to 6.5 cm. Segment height:            About 1.6 cm to 2.2 cm. Segment diameter: About 1.7 cm to            2.3 cm. Axillary bud shape: Roughly triangular. Axillary bud            height: About 4.5 mm. Axillary bud width: About 4 mm.            Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle. Color: Periderm,            freshly-harvested: Close to N199B to N199D. Periderm, dried:            Close to 200A to 200B. Epidermis: Close to 179B. Cortical            tissue: Close to 10C and 10D. Axillary buds: Close to 49D            and 38D. Root description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots            with numerous fine lateral branches; color, close to NN155D,            actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation,            substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.            Rooting habit: Dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 10-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact and upright to mounding            plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; vigorous            growth habit and rapid growth rate; potted plants finish in            saleable form in about eight weeks after planting tubers;            leaf petioles and leaves arise from one or more growing            points on tubers; leaf petioles initially upright and            arching outwardly with development; mature leaves are            horizontal to arching downward.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane, shade            house-grown potted plants.—About 13 cm to 18 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of floral plane, shade            house-grown potted plants.—About 15.2 cm to 17.9 cm.        -   Plant diameter, shade house-grown potted plants.—About 35 cm            to 39 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About 12 to 15 develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shade house-grown potted plants.—Length: About            4.5 cm to 5.2 cm. Width: About 6 mm. Shape: Lanceolate,            strap-shaped. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Sheathing the stem.            Texture and luster, outer and inner surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, outer surface: Close to 147C            and 147D; towards the apex, close to 147B; can also be close            to 147C tinged with close to 182D and stippled and streaked            with close to 200C; color becoming closer to 200C with            subsequent development. Color, inner surface: Close to 157D            and 195C with colors and color patterns from outer surface            visible.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; narrow lance-type.        -   Length, shade house-grown potted plants.—About 10 cm to 21            cm.        -   Width, shade house-grown potted plants.—About 2.9 cm to 6.4            cm; when flattened, about 3 cm to 6.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Narrowly lanceolate; mature leaves adjacent to the            inflorescence can be more ovate in shape.        -   Apex.—Long-tapered acuminate to acute and apiculate.        -   Base.—Sagittate, acute, cuneate and involute; basal lobes            much reduced and variably folded forward and upwardly.        -   Margin.—Entire; very wavy with broad undulations.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            relatively thick and leathery; slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glaucous; dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate and palmate.        -   Color, shade house-grown potted plants.—When developing,            upper surface: Center: Close to 191B; towards the margins,            close to 191B with flecks, close to 147A; towards the base,            close to 147C and 147C to 147D, variably and faintly tinged            with close to N187A. Margins: Close to 147A variably and            faintly tinged with close to N186C; occasionally with            flecks, close to 191A and 147C. Midvein: Close to 194B and            194B to 194C, can be streaked with close to 147B and 147C.            Lateral venation: Close to 147B, 147C and 191B. When            developing, lower surface: Center: Close to 191A to 191B and            147B; towards the base, close to 147C. Margins: Close to            191A or close to 191A variably and faintly tinged with close            to N186C or 189A. Midvein: Close to 148C, 147C and 147D;            proximally, can be tinged with close to 199A. Lateral            venation: Close to 147A and 147B. Fully expanded leaves            adjacent to the inflorescences, upper surface: Center: A            suffusion of close to 191B, 191C, 194B, 147A and 148B;            towards the base, close to 147C and 147C to 147D, variably            and faintly tinged with close to N187A. Margins: Close to            147A; occasionally with flecks, close to 191A and 147C.            Midvein and lateral venation: Close to 191B, 191C, 194B,            147A and 148B. Fully developed leaves adjacent to the            inflorescences, lower surface: Center: Close to 147A, 147B            and 157A; towards the base, close to 147C. Margins: Close to            191A or close to 191A variably and faintly tinged with close            to 189A. Midvein: Close to 148C, 147C and 147D; proximally,            can be tinged with close to 199A. Lateral venation: Close to            147A and 147B; areas surrounding the venation, close to            147C.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight and arching            outwardly with development; flexible. Length, shade            house-grown potted plants: About 7 cm to 12 cm. Diameter,            distally, shade house-grown potted plants: About 3 mm.            Diameter, proximally, shade house-grown potted plants: About            5 mm. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly            glaucous. Color, shade house-grown potted plants: Close to            147A to 147B; with stippling, streaks and tessellations of            close to N200A with subsequent development. Wing length,            shade house-grown potted plants: About 3 cm to 4.5 cm. Wing            diameter, shade house-grown potted plants: About 8 mm.            Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy. Wing color, shade house-grown            potted plants: Inner surface: Close to 157D and 195D; colors            and patterns on the outer surface are visible on the inner            surface. Outer surface: Close to 147C and 147D or close to            147C tinged with close to 182D and stippled, streaked and            tessellated with close to 200B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with camphor note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring and summer            in central Florida; flowers develop about ten weeks after            growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 7 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 5 cm. Length, proximal closed portion: About            2 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 2 cm. Depth, distal            open portion: About 1.5 cm. Width, at constriction: About            1.1 cm. Width, proximal closed portion: About 1.5 cm. Shape,            open portion: Narrowly elliptic. Apex: Acuminate. Base:            Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, front surface:            Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen. Texture and luster, rear            surface: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen; proximally, slightly            glaucous. Color, front surface: Distal open portion: Close            to 148D and 145D; with subsequent development, distally            becoming closer to N200A. Proximal closed portion: Close to            148D and 147D; color does not change with subsequent            development. Color, rear surface: Distal open portion: Close            to 147D tinged with close to 146C; color does not change            with subsequent development. Proximal closed portion: Close            to 147C with streaks, close to 147B; color does not change            with subsequent development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 5 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 2.9 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 1.1 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 7 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 5 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 5.5 mm.            Shape: Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse.            Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 158B            tinged with close to 145C. Color, mature, sterile zone:            Close to N155D. Color, mature, female zone: Close to 158D.            Male flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 80. Shape: Obovate.            Height: About 2.5 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm. Pollen amount:            Sparse. Pollen color: Close to 11C and 11D. Female flowers:            Quantity per spadix: About 72. Shape: Obovate. Height: About            2 mm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Stigma color: Close to 158D.            Ovary color: Close to 159C faintly tinged with close to            N170D.        -   Scapes.—Length: About 8.2 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect, straight.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen; slightly            glaucous. Color: Close to 147C tinged with close to 137C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Pathogen tolerance/resistance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above    average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have tolerance/resistance to    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about 40° C.    and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler zones,    tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a cool    dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘RIB WTOF13-530’ as illustrated and described.